Japan Earthquake

April 2016:

On 14 April 2016, a quake struck at 9:26 p.m. at a depth of 11 km (7 miles) near the city of Kumamoto, the Meteorological Agency said. Many aftershocks followed after that, including an intensity 6 earthquake. In the early hours of 16 April, another huge quake of magnitude 7.3 occurred (regarded as main shock), which killed another 33 people.

Caritas Japan has also met with the Fukuoka Diocese, which Kumamoto prefecture belongs to, on 21 April. The chancellor and the priest in charge from Fukuoka Diocese visited affected area on 18 April and reported that:

- Huge damage to the buildings including Church due to continuous quakes.- The loss of life of the parishioners has not been reported.- Part of the highway is heavily damaged, which slows down the delivery of relief items.- Evacuees in the most affected area were forced to move again and again because of the heavy rain.- Continuous quakes prevent people from going back home. They are already very much exhausted by living in evacuation center or in the car.- Some earthquake-related deaths were reported, which were caused by deep vein thrombosis and heart failure.

Situation Report

Our Response

Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore (CHARIS) has pledged an initial SGD 20,000 to Caritas Japan. The funds will be used to aid ground relief efforts – providing food, shelter and other necessary support for the victims affected by the disasters.

In the meantime, should you wish to donate towards these and other humanitarian situations, you can print and complete our downloadable donation form to send a crossed cheque payable to "Humanitarian Aid Fund" to CHARIS at 55 Waterloo Street, #07-02, Catholic Centre Singapore 187954. Please contact Sylvester Singh at 6337 4119 or info@charis-singapore.org if you have any questions or require any assistance.

about us

Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore (CHARIS) is the umbrella body for overseas humanitarian aid by the Archdiocese of Singapore. Humanitarian situations cover natural disasters and other adverse circumstances faced by the poor and needy, especially in developing countries in the region. CHARIS is a member of Caritas Singapore. It was launched on 20 August 2010 by His Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Chia.